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On the heels of the House Education and Labor Committee's passage of legislation that would overhaul both mine and nonmine occupational safety and health regulations, companion legislation was introduced in the Senate on July 29.

The Robert C. Byrd Mine and Workplace Safety and Health Act (S. 3671) was introduced by Sens. Jay Rockefeller and Carte Goodwin (both D-WV). The Senate bill mirrors many of the provisions found in the Robert C. Byrd Miner Safety and Health Act (H.R. 5663), including stiffer penalties for violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and increased powers for the Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Both bills were named for the West Virginia senator and mine safety advocate who died earlier this year. The House version passed out of committee July 21 and is waiting to be taken up by the full chamber.

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